One dead and eleven injured following bus crash in Scotland

One person has died after a crash between a bus and a 4x4 in Scotland, with another 11 people injured.

Two people were taken to hospital in Glasgow after the collision on the A78 road north of Ardrossan, in North Ayrshire on Scotland's west coast.

The other nine who were hurt were taken to a nearby hospital or were treated at the scene.

The Scottish Ambulance Service has declared the crash - which happened at around 2.15pm close to a restaurant - a "major incident".

The Glasgow Evening Times said that the bus involved was a double-decker.

Two helicopters were deployed as air ambulances.

Police Scotland said the collision took place between "service bus" and a "4x4 vehicle" close to the Rowan Tree Restaurant.

A statement said: "One person has been pronounced dead at the scene and two people have been taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital by air and by road ambulance.

"Nine others have been treated at the scene or transferred to Crosshouse Hospital for observations."

A spokesman for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: "Our crews are at the scene of a serious road collision.

"We received a call from the ambulance service at 2.15pm today and firefighters reached the incident three minutes later.

"There were six appliances at the scene and firefighters worked alongside police and paramedics to assist those involved."

A spokeswoman for the bus's operator, Stagecoach, said: "We can confirm that one of our vehicles was involved in a serious incident.

"Our first thoughts are with those affected by this incident. The safety of our passengers and staff is our highest priority and we are assisting the police fully with their investigation into the circumstances."